ROCKFORD — Rockford Park District commissioners approved a property tax increase today intended to help restore some programs and services cut during past years.

Commissioners voted 3-2 to increase the district’s property tax levy by 1.5 percent, a fraction below the 1.7 percent maximum increase allowed by law. The $23.7 million levy is the total amount of taxes the district will collect from all property in its boundaries. Commissioners Ian Linnabary and Doug Brooks voted against the tax increase.

“We’ve seen decay and poverty in our community and the property taxpayer has assumed a tremendous burden that we can’t sustain. We have to stop this downward spiral,” Brooks said.

The increase will likely cost the owner of a $100,000 home between $6 and $33 more on his or her tax bill next year, depending on how the value of the property changes, according to the district’s estimated rate. The actual tax rate won’t be calculated until Spring when all assessment challenges have been heard. A $100,000 home that maintained its value year-to-year would pay about $33 more to the district next year. If the home dropped 8 percent in value — the average decline across the district — they would pay about $6 more.

The district also presented its 2014 budget today. Operating costs are projected to rise 3 percent next year to $31.1 million. The board votes on the final budget Jan. 14.

The proposed budget restores two free summer playground programs for a total of 12. The district once ran 20 such neighborhood sites before cutbacks. The budget also includes modest fee increases and additional financial assistance for families unable to afford fee programs, Park District Executive Director Tim Dimke said. The district also plans to increase operational days by one week at Magic Waters and Alpine Pool and expand swimming lessons at Sand Park Pool. The Forest City Queen and Trolley Car 36 would also have extended seasons.

The budget also includes reductions in administration through reorganization, Dimke said. That was done through job modifications, retirements and other adjustments, but there weren’t any layoffs, he said.

“We are fully committed to being good stewards of public funds while delivering a high quality park and recreation system at a reasonable cost to residents and visitors,” Dimke said. “The 2014 budget is a trimmed, lean budget that stretches financial and human resources while achieving a high quality of standards in every area of operation.”